BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Sam Walker to leave for America

BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Sam Walker is leaving the BBC and the UK for a new life in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sam, who has worked on a number of Manchester-based stations including Real Radio, Key 103 and BBC Radio Manchester, announced the move on social media.

She said: “I’ve genuinely dreamed about this for years so am choosing the (dusty) road less travelled. It’s been an absolute joy (most of the time) to be on your radio for the last 18 years and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the most brilliant people in the business.”

Sam took time off the radio in 2016 to travel with her family, and has hosted programmes over the years including Breakfast on Real Radio Northwest and Drivetime on BBC Radio Manchester.

Sam also hosts the Podcast What Goes On Here and is an event host and coach with What Goes On Media.

“We decided to move as life’s too short to not take risks and try something new,” Sam told RadioToday. “I was really affected by the deaths of some colleagues, friends and family in the last 12 months and it made us realise that dreams will only ever be dreams unless you take the leap!”